DANTE HALL GRANTS HOLIDAY HOME WISH TO UNSUSPECTING SINGLE MOTHER

Nov 29, 2005, 12:22:31 PM

With Thanksgiving now fixed in the rearview mirror and today’s blustery weather ringing in the winter, the focus has undoubtedly shifted toward the holidays. No member of the Kansas City Chiefs seemed more excited about this fact than WR Dante’ Hall and Tuesday’s actions surely proved that. The season seemed alive as Hall joined together with representatives from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Aaron’s Sales and Lease Ownership and Kaw Valley Habitat for Humanity along with Mayor Joe Reardon for a special event that had the holidays written all over it.

To get in the proper spirit, Dante’ Hall’s X-Factor Foundation and his partners brought the holidays to a special unsuspecting single mother and her family. Modeled after Warrick Dunn’s “Homes for the Holiday’s” program, Ms. Angelina Foreman today accepted the keys to the largest Kaw Valley Habit for Humanity home built to date. What she didn’t know, until she opened the door to her new home, was that it has been totally furnished thanks to Aaron’s.

Additionally, Dante’s X-Factor Foundation made sure that the house is ready for the family to move right in, including linens, accessories, other home décor items, a pantry full of food thanks to Price Chopper and a brand-new home security system complements of Brink’s. Hall even announced that the X-Factor Foundation has made a substantial donation towards Ms. Foreman’s mortgage.

“This means a lot to me,” Hall smiled as he watched Ms. Foreman and her seven children checking out their new digs. “I think I got more emotional than she did. To be in a position where I am able to do something like this is a dream come true. It really sets things into perspective and makes me thankful for all that I had growing up. That’s why it was important for my mother (Carolyn) to be here too. She wanted to help with the shopping and setup because she knows firsthand how difficult things are for single mothers.”

In an effort to promote the redevelopment of urban areas, Dante’s X-Factor Foundation has recently been involved with a pair of revitalization projects in Wyandotte County. Earlier this year, his foundation partnered once again with Thrivent Financial and KaBOOM! to spearhead a one-day playground build at Kansas City, Kansas’ Heathwood Park. That project gave those children a new safe place to play and it the crown jewel of that park’s revitalization.

Dante’ Hall’s X-Factor Foundation seeks to provide opportunities for single mothers and their children to reach their full potential. The goal is to help these women succeed as both parents and as productive members of their communities. In addition, they are focused on the redevelopment of urban areas, with a special emphasis on providing quality housing and recreational areas for single mothers and their families.

Aaron Rents, Inc. is the nation’s leader in the rental, sales and lease ownership, specialty retailing and rental of residential and office furniture, consumer electronics, home appliances and accessories. Aaron Rents, Inc. operates more than 1,150 Company-operated and franchised locations in 45 states, Canada and Puerto Rico. The Company also manufactures an exclusive line of furniture, bedding and accessories at 10 facilities in four states. Aaron’s store locations are known as “Aaron’s Sales & Lease Ownership.”

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, a not-for-profit Fortune 500 financial services organization, helps 2.8 million members achieve their financial goals and give back to their communities. Thrivent Financial and its affiliates offer a broad range of financial products and services including life insurance, annuities, mutual funds, disability income insurance, bank products and more. As a not-for-profit organization, Thrivent Financial sponsors national outreach programs and activities that support congregations, schools, charitable organizations and needy individuals. For more information, visit www.thrivent.com.

Kaw Valley Habitat for Humanity’s mission is to build simple, decent homes and communities in Wyandotte, Johnson and Leavenworth counties in partnership with God’s people in need while following biblical principles. They are a world-wide organization with a mission to eliminate poverty housing around the world. Habitat and its supporters comprise a unique fellowship that brings various ethnic and economic communities together working towards this common goal. Their credo is: ‘A Simple, Decent Place to Live’ for all people.